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A CLUSTER 
OF MARGUERITES 



BY 



MARGARET SEALY 



J 



THE 



Hbbey press 



PUBLISHERS 
114 
FIFTH AVENUE 

XonDon NEW YORK 



flbontrcal 



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THE L»»«A«Y «F 

CONGRESS, 
Two C -tea Receives 

. 2Q 1902 

COPY1W«MT ENTRY 

OLASaJCt-XXo. No. 
COPY S. 



T ^ ;: ^ 



3^7 



i«* i ^ 



I ^ i 



Copyright, 1901, 

by 

THE 

Bbbei? press 






•• * • • • 

• • • • • *. • 

• • • • ••• 



t, • » 
t < 



WITH SINCERE AFFECTION 

I DEDICATE THIS, ]VIY FIRST VOLUME, 

TO 

^t$. €oUi^ |5. j^untington 

WHOSE KINDLY INTEREST AND 

LOVING GENEROSITY 

HAS BRIGHTENED THE LIVES OF MYRIADS 

OF HER FELLOW-BEINGS. 



» 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Little Bee . . 7 

Stoke Pogis 8 

Ephemera 1 1 

Life. , 12 

Dare I Love Thee ? 13 

What I Would Be 14 

Love and Roses 15 

To the Lost Pages of My Diary 16 

Peace 18 

Aline's Handkerchief , 20 

Twilight 21 

When Thou Art Near 23 

In a Letter 24 

The Maple's Sunset . 25 

The College Girl 27 

Floral Love Story 29 

To Alma 32 

My Laddie 33 

All I Ask For 34 

Sweetheart Merry , 35 

A Valentine ^^ 

Inspiration , ^7 

An Evening Sail 38 

To Erin 40 

5 



6 Contents. 

PAGE 

A Rosebud 41 

The Brook and the Water Lily 42 

At the Ball 44 

The Journey 45 

The Moonbeam's Message 46 

The Dawn of Love 47 

Renunciation 49 

The Ocean's Tale 51 

The New Moon 52 

A Grain of Song 53 

The Alamo 54 



A CLUSTER OF MARGUERITES. 



Xtttle Bcc—(%om.) 

Little Bee so airy, 
I often think with pain, 
As you flit in vale so sunny. 
Robbing flowers of their honey, 
What Avould you do, my fairy. 
If it should ever rain ? 

Then said the bee \vith cunning smile. 
Shall I tell what I should do ? 
I'd gather my honey from many a mile 
And fly with it all to you. 



8 A Cluster of Marguerites. 



The kine were homeward lowing and shak- 
ing tinkling bells, 
The cricket loudly chirping in the fragrant 

dewy dells, 
When we chanced upon the churchyard, in 

Stoke Pogis far away, 
Forever made immortal by the pen of poet 

Gray. 
AVe lingered in the pathway where Nature's 

Violet grows, 
The Daisy in its wildness wooed the royal 

queenly Kose. 
It was indeed a symbol, for the ignorant and 

the wise 
The Queen and e'en the Peasant are equal 

where Death flies. 

The old historic church arose beneath the 
yew tree's shade, 



stoke Pogis. 9 

The belfry tower o'erhung with vines was 

crumbling and decayed ; 
The Ivy, as it winded in and out among the 

eaves, 
Of departed Spirits whispered, that had 

passed beneath its leaves ; 
The buttercup and briar-rose were scattered 

o'er the place, 
Where Nature's poet Gray was laid, his 

earthly form to trace. 
A simple stone v/hereon was writ in words 

so tender, true, 
" He wrote beside his Mother's grave and 

'neath the tree of yew." 

Within the church's dim archway we felt a 

spirit when 
We read upon an oak-bound pew the name 

of William Penn. 
Without was sunshine, roses, all to make of 

man a Muse, 
While here, where all was stern and cold, 

Penn had imbibed liis views. 



10 A Cluster of Marguerites. 

For hard and tedious was the task, on 

foreiirn land he chose 
To found a nation in the wilds and conquer 

Savage foes. 
Not by warlike methods, but the sweetest 

mission — Love, 
He quenched their fiercer passions with the 

power from above. 

Now the churchyard m Stoke Pogis yields 
itself to Memory's sway. 

And the stranger 'mid the Koses feels the 
shades of Penn and Gray ; 

But the pilgrim in his glory lies amid his 
faithful fold, 

While his deeds in other countries will for- 
ever be extolled. 

By his Mother had Gray lingered, and he 
made her grave his throne, 

Till he reft Earth's tiresome bondage, and 
escaped to Worlds unknown. 



Ephemera. n 



Bpbemera* 

The butterfly lisped to the flower, 
" Let me kiss thee while I may. 
Yield to me thy honeyed chalice 
Since I live but for a day." 

And the owl screeched to the echo 
As he seized his prey in flight, 
" I must labor 'mid the sleeping 
For I only see by night." 

Then the four-leaf clover, mocking, 
Nodded to the waning day, 
As the youth to maiden beauteous 
Vowed his love should last alway. 



12 A Cluster of Marc^uerites. 



A Rose which shatters at the faintest touch, 
A Sigh, a Tear, a Smile and even such 
As fragile Foam upon the Ocean's breast, 
So sad, so sweet, so bitter and so blest. 

A Dream which restless slips away at Daw^n, 
A drop of Dew — a Zephyr, then 'tis gone. 
And e'en the space in which a star may fall. 
So short is Life — a Mem'ry, that is all. 



Dare I Love Thee ? 13 



Dare f %ovc tibee? 

Merry lass with brown eyes dancing, 
Dare I love thee, dost thou say ? 
Does the flower scorn the sunshine, 
Or the song-bird scorn the day? 

Tho' my love for thee be futile 
As the zephyr's gentle plea, 
Or the tiny rippling wavelet 
On the deep and mighty sea. 

Still 111 love but thee, my sweetheart, 
Tho' tliou'd fain my love suppress. 
Since I may not love thee wholly 
Let me love thy loveliness. 



14 A Cluster of Marguerites. 



Mbat 1F Moulb Be. 

Would I were tlie gem that sparkled 
On my lady's hand so fair, 
Or the fragrant rose so crimson, 
Nestling coyly in her hair. 

Wonld I were the moonbeam stealing 
From the bine ethereal skies, 
So that I mio'ht ever ling-er 
'Mid the sapphire of her eyes. 

Would I were the dainty kerchief 
Which she raises to her lips ; 
Lips that shame the rose's sweetness 
Where the thievish insect sips. 

Would T were the wayside flower 
In my lady's path to lie, 
So that I might kiss her slipper 
Only once before I die. 



Love and Roses. 15 



%ovc ant) iRoses^ 

Would that love like heart of roses 

Might be plucked and thrown awayj 

Then might I in idle dreaming, 

Gather roses all the day. 

But if love could grow so wildly, 

As the rose on every tree, 

Think you I should stoop to gather 

What to every one was free ? 

Nestled 'neath its perfumed petals, 
Love, like rose, may hide a thorn ; 
And the sting abideth ever, 
Though the fragrance long hath gone. 
Here I breathe where roses blossom, 
Honeyed hearts with golden vein, 
Though I wish I dare not gather 
Lest I feel the thorn of pain. 



36 A Cluster of Mamuerites, 



Uo tbe %OBt ipaaes of /[Dp Biarp. 

I. 

Beneath an Oak was rudely tossed 
A Diary soiled and torn, 
The outer leaves, or husk, remained, 
Its written heart was gone. 

li- 
lt fell from 'neath a Maiden's breast, 
This Rose of Mem'ry rare. 
The perfume of whose petaled thoughts 
Distilled and soothed all care. 

III. 

The brilliant butterflies of Joy, 
Its blushing leaves had kissed, 
Hope's Sunshine and the Dew of Tears 
There lingered — to exist. 



To the Lost Pages of My Diary, f} 

IV. 

But yet alas ! the Breeze of Fate 
With wanton, cruel phlegm, 
Destroyed tlie Rose, its petals strewed, 
And left me — but the Stem. 

V. 

Oh ! Wand'rer in Life's Garden Fair, 
If thou should'st find perchance 
The scattered fragments of my flow'r. 
Ah ! do not pass askance. 

VI. 

Return to me, Oh, Friend Unknown, 
This token of my heart ; 
To you — 'tis but a withered Rose, 
To Me — of Life, a part. 



1 8 A Cluster of Marguerites. 



peace. 

The crickets chirped an Anthem 
Beneath the moon's pale light ; 
The milkweedj cowslip, blue bell — 
Breathed incense to the nio^ht. 

The prairie throbbed with music 
Of insect, bird and beast — 
An irresistino^ sweetness 
Of sympathy and peace. 

My heart and brain hung tip-toe, 
My fettered impulse thrilled, 
For silence there had lingered 
And Discontent was stilled. 

My arms grew faint with yearning 
To hold all in my grasp. 
Till breast and lips were aching 
With pressure's fervid clasp. 



Peace. 19 

A pressure that in crushing 
Woukl fill my soul with calm, 
And melt into my being* 
The Peace of Nature's Psalm. 

So sweet, so sacred, Holy, 
Ineffably benign, 
I felt an humble suppliant 
At Nature's wondrous shrine. 

And lo ! My prayer was answered 
Beneath the milkweed sweet, 
A snowy dove with love-notes 
Came nestling to my feet. 



20 A Cluster of Marguerites. 



Hline's 1banD]f?ercbiet 

Dainty square with edge of lace, 
Nestling close to Aline's face, 
Why hast thou such liberty ? 
That which is denied to me, 
Golden treasures hast thou there, 
For thou toucheth Aline' s hair. 

Heaven's sloes were ne'er so blue, 
As her eyes thou peep'st into. 
Thou can'st whisper in her ear. 
Sweetest nothings, without fear. 
Thou should 'st feel most perfect bliss, 
Fragrant lips thou oft dost kiss. 

'Neath her fingers' rosy tips. 
Thou dost linger where my lips 
Fain would rest them, and thou art 
Free to wander near her heart. 
Thou art ever near Aline, 
Bear my wooing to my Queen. 



Twilight. 21 



When the Sun's last rays are tinting 
All the world with rosy hue, 
And the toiling cease their labor, 
When the flowerets catch the dew ; 
Then it is that all life's sorrow, 
Its ambition and its love, 
Ebb and flow m thought's great ocean. 
Moved by powers from above. 

Quietness teaches us contentment, 
Sympathy then holds its sway. 
And in pondering o'er to-morrow 
We forget our cares to-day. 
There we find one conscious moment, 
Meet ourselves then face to face, 
Living self and self long slumbered. 
Kinship each to each doth trace. 



22 A Cluster of Marguerites. 

May the twilight of our life hold 
Kosy rays from deeds benign. 
May we rest as tiny birdlings, 
Life and hope to God resign. 



When Thou Art Near. 23 



Mben XTbou Hrt Bear* 

Sweetheart, when thou art heside me, 
Heed I not the Sun's decHne, 
For thine eyes to me are brighter 
And thy smile is bliss divine ; 
Think I not of Pain or Sorrow, 
Folded in thy close embrace, 
Dear Heart, with thy love and kisses 
I could flaunt misfortune's face. 

Yet, alas ! when thou departest, 
But a fragile flower am I, 
Swaying with each playful zephyr, 
Helpless yielding to all nigh. 
As the mole is in the sunshine 
Or the wounded turtle-dove, 
So, Sweetheart, am I without Thee 
And thy all pervading Love. 



24 A Cluster of Marguerites. 



Hn a Xetter* 

Sweetheart, I inclose you something, 
'Tis not seen but felt — as Bliss — 
Of Love's blossoms 'tis the sweetest, 
All would gather, none e'er miss ; 
'Tis a Sunbeam and a Zephyr, 
With two Rosebuds — and all this 
Is bound with one sweet trembling sigh 
To send you, dear — a Kiss ! 



The Maple's Sunset. 25 



Zbc /IDaple's Sunset 



As the Sun ia Maytime's glory sank within 

her couch of old, 
Laid amid the fleecy cloudlets flecked with 

crimson and with gold, 
As she smiled her all on Nature and those 

insects oft called Men 
She beheld a lofty Pine tree smiling in a 

dusky glen. 



II. 



Ci) 



n 



Far beneath the old Pine's branches dwelt a 

Maple, unaware 
Of the condescending glances which th 

haughty Pine cast there. 
For, said he with mien majestic, " Since I am 

the King of all, 
I may pity e'en the Maple for no Sun-rays on 

her fall." 



26 A Cluster of Marguerites. 

III. 

Soon the Sunbeams ceased to linger and the 

Pine tree moaned and sighed 
As he glanced upon the Maple, now arrayed 

a Forest bride. 
For the Frost King gently wooed her, as 

he kissed her leaflets green 
Till her after-glow of blushes made her 

Autumn's Sunset Queen. 



The College Girl. 27 

Ube College Girl. 
I. 

Throughout the whole creation 

A college education 

For woman, up to date, is all the rage. 

She pores o'er ancient pamphlets, 

Makes Greek and Latin samplets, 

And studies stars and ethics by the page. 

II. 

With all her varied learning, 
Domestic things she's spurning, 
Seeking happiness and duties from afar. 
She finds no man her equal, 
Misfortune is the sequel. 
While she strives to " hitch her wagon to a 
star." 

III. 

Let me add in explanation. 
Of this rhyming dissertation, 



28 A Cluster of Marguerites. 

That of Latin I have never scanned a line ! 

Tho' I did not go to college, 

Yet my modest share of knowledge 

Serves me daily for the duties that are mine. 



Floral Love Story. 29 

ffloral %ove Stor^. 
I. 

John Qui! loved Sweet William's Sister, 
With a love both deep and true. 
Lily pure his thoughts did call her, 
Mor7iing glory kissed by dew. 
Fragrant Sioeet Peas were the letters 
Which he sent her by the score. 
Till he went and Aster Poppy 
For Matrimony, nothing more. 

II. 

Kneeling tlien he told Sweet Alyss, 
Bleeding Heart lay at her feet. 
'"• Johnny Jump up,'' she did murmur, 
Offering Tulips pure and sweet. 
'\Baehelor Buttons, need no longer 
Scatter in con-fuchia-n rife, 
Heartsease, give you to a Blue belle 
Soon to be your loving wife." 



--> 



o A Cluster of Marguerites. 



III. 

Jack m Pulpit them did marry 
While the Elders stood in shade. 
Then Narcissus played the Trumpet 
And a Daisy sound it made. 
Lilies of the Valley, modest, 
Were the bridesmaids, always sweet, 
Maiden-hair, with Violets clustered 
Mingled with sweet Marguerites. 

IV. 

Bridal Wreath was thrown the bride then. 
Pink, she blushed, to her hair. 
A Yellow Pose from Phlox of people 
Welcoming the happy Pear, 
Candy-tuft and Orange-blossom, 
Water-lily, Milkiceed sweet 
Honeysuckle and Cornflower, 
With Buttercups, made Floral meat. 

V. 

Four-6* clock the bride departed 
Toward the land where Snowdrops fall, 



Floral Love Story. 31 

Sensitive to grief, at parting 
Forget-me-not, she said to all. 
Friends then threw the Ladyslipper, 
Tied with bows of liibhon-grass, 
And the Simfloicer beams a blessing, 
On the lovers as they pass. 



32 A Cluster ot Marguerites. 



XTo Hlma. 

The sunbeams kissed sweet Alma's lips, 
The winds played with her hair, 
The rosebuds heart blushed rosy red 
To breathe the perfumed air. 
Birds and insects whispered love 
As the rose clung to the vine. 
Sweetheart, may I kneel to thee. 
And ask ? — Be mine ! Be mine ! 



My Laddie. 33 



All the songs are for my lady, 
None are to the laddies fine ; 

Though 'tis bold, I must confess it, 
I would fain sing one to mine. 

Love, where is it thou dost hide thee ? 

Far I've searched thee in this land. 
Dost thou never feel thine heartstrings 

Vibrate from an unseen hand? 

Comest thou from sunny Southland, 
Or from Northern shores so bleak ? 

Sweetheart, since I may not find thee. 
Dost thou wonder that I seek ? 

It is said that in this kingdom 
Hearts there live for every one. 

Let my song sound to the echoes 
Till it find and bid thee come. 



34 A Cluster of Marguerites. 



Hii ir Hsn fov. 

Many wish that wealth and power 
Might their pathway cross some day. 

Others strive to capture wisdom, 
Glory leads some far astray. 

Even greater are my longings, 
For they compass worlds to me ; 

Thou canst grant my wishes, sweetheart 
All I ask for is — for thee. 



Sweetheart ]\Ierr3\ 35 



Sweetbeatt f^cvv*g. 

Sweetheart merry, 
Lips like clierry, 

Cheeks that hold the rose's hue, 
Fain I'd be the siiu or zephyr, 

Then I'd steal a kiss from you. 

But, my sweetheart, 
We must ne'er part 

When the sun and zephyr flee. 
Would I were thy curl so bonny. 
Then I'd dwell for aye with thee. 



36 A Cluster of Marguerites. 



U Valentine. 

Sweetest vision of my fancy, 
Lass I love far more than gold, 

Tlioii art ever in my day-dreams, 
In thy hand my heart doth hold. 

Yet fate not unkind is, dearest ; 

Memory treasures only this, 
Blushes and a rose thou gav'st me, 

Glances, smiles, which promise bliss. 

Dost thou love me, sweetest, dear one ? 

Oft I breathe thy name in vain, 
Hoping, trusting thou dost hear me ; 

Hast thou naught for me to gain ? 



Inspiration. 37 



irnsplration. 

'Tis the wings of angels hovering, 
Music's breath, our day-dreams covering, 
Glory which from Heaven reflected. 
Lifts our hearts, 'bove sordid cares ; 
'Tis the gold in sunlight's measure, 
'Tis the glimpse of hidden treasure, 
As the soul amid its wanderings 
Leaps to wisdom unawares. 



38 A Cluster of Marguerites. 



Hn JEvcnirxQ Sail* 

A TINY craft with quivering snow-white 
phime, 
A twinkling dot upon the billows set; 
A timid new-born moon, which faintly 
peeped, 
Half veiled, beneath its star-decked cover- 
let. 
A tender zephyr stirred the playful wave. 
Which gurgled in the lull of peaceful 
dreams. 
And lo ! as if by magic, 'neath the craft 
Two glittering lines of myriad phosphorus 
gleams 
Lay, pathlike, stretched into the mistless 
gloom 
As stars are flecked upon the milky way. 
The sea bird sped, and in its fretful wake 
The thievish echoes whispered in full sway 



An Evening Sail. 39 

The rhythmic strains, which lazily ahung 
Upon the lips of Afric's genial race — 

A melody so fraught with love's sweet hopes 
That e'en the wind with blushes dropt 
apace. 



A quiet nook which only lovers seekj 

A trembling sigh which half revealed a 
bliss ; 
Two hearts that, restless, found at last a 
goal, 
And Heaven itself impaled within a kiss. 



40 A Cluster of Marguerites. 



Uo lErtn* 

Ah, Erin, me darlint, whenever ye're gone, 
The o:lint o' the sunshine has fled from the 

morn, 
The blue of the heavens is faded and gray. 
For the blue of your eyes ye have taken 

away. 

The waves never laugh as they rippled of 

yore, 
Your laughter is ripplin' on some other shore ; 
The rose holds its frasfrance no lono-er for me. 
For the rose that I cherished ye've plucked 

from my tree. 

Ah, Erin, me darlint, from me ye can't part, 

For yeself ye have locked fast into me heart ; 

Ye may leave me, my jewel, but ye'll never 

be free. 
For my heart is thy prison, where Fate holds 

the key. 



A Rosebud. 41 



H IRosebut)* 

As I lingered in the twilight 

E're the sun's rays, blushing, fled, 
Ere the silver-tinted crescent 

'Mid the flaky cloudlets shed, 
As the Dewdrop kissed the Rosebud; 

Then I dreamed, my love, of you. 
And I wished that Fate had fashioned 

Me a Rosebud, you the Dew. 



42 A Cluster of Marguerites. 

Zbc Brook anb tbe Mater Xil^* 

A rippling brook 

In secluded nook, 

Enamored became of a lily. 

He murmured at night 

^^yitli frantic deliglit, 

While the Katydids chanted so shrilly. 

She blushed with surprise 
At such hinted ties, 

And her dainty head bent to the water 3 
He kissed her pure heart 
And vowed they'd ne'er part, 
For years he had dreamed of and sought 
her. 

But the sun then came 

With his gleaming flame, 

And the lily began to languish ; 

For his love he told 

In accents so bold, 

The w^armth of his wooing caused anguish. 



The Brook and the Water Lily. 43 

Then the jealous brook 

His love forsook, 

And became forever a vagrant ; 

So the lily still sighs, 

And always there lies 

A tear 'neath her petals so fragrant. 



44 A Cluster of Marguerites. 



Ht tbe BalL 

Here are graceful dancers tripping, 
Eosy lips and beaming eyes, 

And the music's breath is mingling 
With the laughter and the sighs. 

E'en the matron here is feeling 
For her lord a worldly pride, 

While the youth his budding passion 
To the maiden doth confide. 

Sole amid this festive gathering, 
With but roses nestling near, 

Sits this poor uncared for Spinster, 
And she wishes you were here. 



The Journey. 45 



Birds in fluttering reach their goal^ 
Blowing Breezes space control, 
But Man's sweetest way, when sought, 
Travels by the train of Thought. 

So unravel, bustling " Bee," 
What the " Rosebud " sends to Thee 
And if Memory treasures aught. 
Waft her honeyed sips of Thought. 



46 A Cluster of Marguerites. 



Ube /Moonbeam's /iDessage* 

Dearest, it is when the darkness 
Folds me to her peaceful breast, 
And the giow-wonn wooes the rosebud, 
And the dove has love confessed. 
That my heart is filled with longing, 
And my arms stretch forth to Thee, 
An I waft thee kisses, Sweetheart, 
On each moonbeam which I see. 



The Dawn of Love, 47 



Zbc Dawn ot %ovc. 

(The Aftermath of '' Fate.") 

And Two there were, who, heeding naught, 
by Fate's 

Strong hand were led. The mists of dark- 
ness vanished. 

For they met — And in the moon's calm 
beam 

Night's sacred smile of Love to slumbering 
Earth, 

They sought to read Life's meanings thro' 
each other's eyes 

Or pierce th' unfathomed veil of Future's 

dreams, 
And yet, with quivering Lips that scarcely 

breathed. 

With hands tight clasped in mystic bonds, 

They paused 



48 A Cluster of Marguerites. 

Upon the wavering brink of Love's sweet 

hope 
And asked but this : To wander ever thus 
In heavenly biiss — Content to live. 



Renunciation. 49 



IRenunctation* 

How empty the world now seems, Dear One, 
Since your love-troth you've broken with me, 
And yet in my tear-laden anguish 
While fond hopes and ambitions flee, 
I cannot with bitterness chide you, 
But bless you for past days of bliss, 
When even Existence hung trembling 
On each glance, a smile or a kiss. 

'Twas a Butterfly sip of Delirium, 

E'en a Nectar, which time cannot cloy ; 

The love-drop which lay in your Heart, Dear, 

And caused me such infinite joy. 

Ah, Svv^eetheart, — Until Death has claimed 

you. 
My thoughts tread fond Memory's path, 
Since my love for you, Dear, is Eternal, 
It cannot expire e'en in wrath. 



5o A Cluster of Marguerites. 

The Shrine of my Soul holds your image, 
Where I pray for your happiness, Dear, 
So I give up my Hfe for your freedom. 
If Death can but save you one tear, 
My Life, Dear ? Ah, God 1 'tis said truly 
" I've sowed and have reaped," aU in vain, 
Though living is anguish, I linger ; 
To pray I may serve you again. 



The Ocean's Tale. 51 



Ubc ©cean'9 XTale* 

I sat on the seashore one calm moonlight eve, 
And plead with each ripple to tell 

How the Mermaids that lived in their coral 
homes 
Were wooed by the cold Ocean Swell. 

If moonbeams were silver ore, slipped in the 
sea 
To rest on the breast of each wave ; 
If the floor of the Ocean were scattered with 
pearls, 
If the Sea-horse were tied in a cave, 

And then came the words to me scornfully 

clear. 
As if from some mystical vale : 
" You needn't to put any salt, Dear, on me 
In order to catch my tale." 



52 A Cluster of Marguerites. 



Ube IRevv fUS^oon. 

" MuzzER," said the maid of three, 
As she looked at the moon so new, 

" I didn't know that God had hands. 
But His finger-nail's poking froo " ! 



A Grain of Song. 53 



H 6rain ot Bom. 

You may talk about your singers, 
And your whistlers keeping time 

With the ever roaring waters, 
And your orchestras sublime. 

But of all the " blarsted " noises 
That's emphatic, if not fine, 

Is the ringing and singhig 
Of a grain of old quinine. 



54 A Cluster of Marguerites. 



XTbe Hlamo. 

(San Antonio.) 

In the streets of San Antonio, mid the traffic 

of to-day, 
Where the sun's persistent beamings sends 

its fury-piercing ray, 
There is found the modern structures ever 

towering by the side 
Of those quaint adobe houses where the 

Mexicans abide. 
And the streets with narrow windings over- 
hung with China trees, 
Seem to frame the cactused gardens and the 

ivy covered eaves. 
While the dusky-skinned Senoras linger near 

the stranger fair, 
Pleading ever " un centavo " for the baby 

clino^injy there. 



The Alamo. 55 

But a Texan feels no pity for this cruel fallen 

race, 
For that ruin from the Plaza, rising from its 

ancient place, 
Brings to mind that fort and Mission where 

our fathers bled and died. 
Martyrs to the cause of freedom, butchered in 

their manhood's pride. 

There our Bowie, Travis, Crockett, with a 

band of soldiers brave. 
Starved and wounded, fought and ceased 

not, till they filled a hero's grave. 
There amid the dead and dying, mid the foe's 

mid angry yells. 
Woke to earth a new-born baby in the cold 

and loathsome cells. 
Then the foes the walls o'erscaling forced our 

men to crawl within. 

And with captured cannon plying burst the 

door with awful din. 
LofC. 



56 A Cluster of Marguerites. 

Travis lay upon his deathbed, urging on the 

faithful few. 
Till the Mexicans with bayonets, pierced his 

body through and through. 
Still they fought, though overpowered, ever 

steadfast gallant band ; 
Well, they knew that Santa Anna held but 

vengeance in his hand ; 
Fought until the last man dying felt that 

freedom's hope was doomed. 
Saw without on flaming pyres corpses of his 

friends consumed. 

Santa Anna to those waiting made his vic- 
tory more complete. 

Sent the new-born babe and mother as his 
message of defeat. 

What was then an arid desert, now's become 
a rustling town. 

And the old historic mission tells to all its 
tale profound. 



The Alamo. 57 

How that Freedom's flower flourished thro' 

their sacrifice and pain, 
How they died to save their country and 

their death was not in vain. 
It reminds us of our duty and contents us 

with our toils. 
For we know that to the valiant soon will 

come the victor's spoils. 
Fate at last has wreaked her veno-eanee, for 

that tyranny of yore, 
Now the vanquished Mexicanos ben^ for alms 

beneath its door. 




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